Jim Coda Nature Photography

May 22, 2011Uncategorized

A Coyote Survives with Injury

A coyote hunts on the Tomales Peninsula. — Coyote, Point Reyes National Seashore

I’ve seen this coyote a number of times. He’s easy to identify because he has a slight limp due to some injury to his right foreleg. I first saw him around Pierce Point Ranch months ago. Later I saw him on the mid-peninsula. Lately, I’ve been seeing him at the south end. He seems to have found a home there. On the other hand, maybe he’s been a long-time resident there and I only first noticed him and his limping gait at Pierce Point. Maybe he was just traveling then in search of better territory or a mate or both. I wondered then whether the limp would affect his ability to survive. I watched him “mousing” at Pierce Point and the limp didn’t affect his ability to jump (and land) in hunting rodents. In fact, he was very successful. It seems to only affect his ability to run fast. Good news for the rabbits. He looks healthy to me. He’s making it.

March 31, 2011Uncategorized

Coyote in Gopherville

A coyote walks through a green field. — Coyote, Point Reyes National Seashore

This coyote was photographed hunting gophers on ranch land in Point Reyes National Seashore. The ranch lands provide good habitat for gophers. A healthy population of gophers (and other rodents) means a good food supply for predators that feed on gophers, such as coyotes, bobcats and badgers. When I drive through these lands, most other drivers are intent on getting by me and getting to their destinations as quickly as possible. They seem oblivious to the wildlife they pass by. If you would like to purchase a print of this image click here.

March 20, 2011Uncategorized

Coyote, Point Reyes National Seashore

Photo of a coyote looking back at sunset. — Coyote at Sunset

I took this photo about a month ago at Point Reyes. I can’t remember the exact location, but it was shot around sunset. I usually miss sunrise at Point Reyes, but I try to always be there for sunset. It’s the best of times — for light and wildlife. When the sun starts getting low my senses heighten. It’s a feeling of anticipation. Something is going to happen. Something better happen. I need a good photo. I also know that many of the animals I like to photograph, such as coyotes and bobcats, are up and beginning to hunt. It’s time to crank up the ISO. Time to be steady. 1/30th of a second time. It’s make or break time. If I get a good photo of an animal at that time the day is a success. If I don’t, the day is usually a failure. I try not to let it get to me. But it does. Some. To purchase a print of this image click here.

March 18, 2011Uncategorized

Handsome Bobcat

I saw this bobcat for the first time a couple of days ago. He’s very well-marked. I’m used to seeing bobcats in Point Reyes National Seashore with little or no distinctive markings on the torso. This guy has very pronounced spots and stripes on his trunk. I think I’ll remember him as “Handsome Bob.” Unfortunately, Handsome Bob didn’t stop in the prettiest place. It looks like a badger has been through here shortly before Bob and really tore the place up. I saw a coyote stop here and hunt a couple of weeks ago. It must be (or was) a good spot for gophers and/or other rodents. Click here to purchase a print of this image.

March 8, 2011Uncategorized

Coyote At Sunset

Photo of a coyote stopping in a rancher's field at sunset. — Coyote, Point Reyes National Seashore

I photographed this coyote at sunset. For landscape photography, sunrise and sunset are the best of times. You go to the place you want to photograph and wait for that yellow, orange and/or red light. Sunrise and sunset are great times to photograph wildlife as well. Unfortunately, a wild animal is not always in front of you at sunrise or sunset. So, when you have an interesting animal to photograph at those times you are fortunate. That’s all it takes for me to consider the day a success.

March 1, 2011Uncategorized

Portrait of a Coyote

A coyote contemplates its next move. — Coyote, Point Reyes National Seashore

I like head shots of animals, but I don’t have many because the animals are usually too far away and getting closer isn’t feasible. I spotted this coyote when it was hunting rodents about 50 to 75 yards from the road. I pulled over and started photographing it as it was “mousing.” I stayed inside my vehicle and it seemed oblivious of me. I knew that it was likely to get closer because of the contour of the land. It’s other choice was to go down a steep ravine and come up the other side. It kept working its way toward me. It came fairly close and then stopped to scratch itself. That’s when I tripped the shutter.

February 16, 2011Uncategorized

Injured Coyote

I saw this coyote last Thursday in the Pierce Point area of Point Reyes National Seashore. Saturday he was a bit south of there. Yesterday he was at the south end of the Tomales Point Peninsula. I know it’s the same coyote because there is something wrong with his right foreleg at what would be the “wrist” for a human. It doesn’t seem to handicap him at a walking pace, but when he runs it’s obvious and slows him down. It doesn’t handicap him in feeding though from what I can see. I watched him hunt rodents last Thursday and he was having no trouble catching them. When I saw him yesterday he was feeding on something larger than a rodent.

He should have stayed around Pierce Point Ranch a little longer. Yesterday I saw a fairly fresh elk carcass there. Some turkey vultures had found it, but it didn’t look like any other scavengers had fed on it.

It also looks like there is some fur missing on this coyote’s back.